‘Worth every penny’ - West Ham favourite has say on Arsenal and Man Utd target’s future

West Ham favourite Mark Noble wouldn’t begrudge Declan Rice if he was to leave for Champions League football in the near future. The England international is facing an uncertain long-term future at the London Stadium.

He has been a key player for David Moyes’ side over recent seasons but is out of contract in the summer of 2024. The club risk losing him for nothing if they don’t cash in on him either this year or next January, assuming he doesn’t put pen-to-paper on fresh terms.

Rice, 24, has been on the books at West Ham since 2014 and has risen up through their youth ranks and into their first-team. He has made 222 appearances in all competitions to date and has scored 11 goals.

Noble, who retired at the end of last term, has had his say on his former teammate’s situation, as per the Evening Standard: “We’re West Ham and these players want to go out and play Champions League football — and do you blame them?

“Dec is no different. Dec will always be hailed at West Ham as a fantastic player and such a top, top person. But I don’t think anyone begrudges him wanting to go and win things. We just hope he’ll keep performing like he has been over the last month or so.

“Wherever Declan ends up, or however much someone pays for him, whether it’s here or anywhere else, he’s worth every penny.

“He’s said openly he loves playing at West Ham, but he has got ambitions as a player to go and play in the Champions League and win trophies. I don’t think any West Han fan can actually have an agenda over that.

“Do you blame him for having really big ambitions? Of course you don’t. If he didn’t, he probably wouldn’t be as good as he is.”

It seems inevitable that Rice will leave West Ham. It remains to be seen where he will go though. Arsenal and Manchester United are known to be admirers but there will no doubt be plenty more teams monitoring his situation.